Weekly Family History Activities

Week 10: February 27–March 5 New Testament

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Week 10: February 27–March 5

Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7

“Thy Faith Hath Saved Thee”

The Savior can heal infirmities and sicknesses

From Come, Follow Me:

These few chapters record many instances of miraculous healings performed by the Savior. As you study these healings, look for possible messages for you.

In his conference address, “Family History and Temple Work: Healing and Sealing.” Elder Dale G. Renlund discusses the blessings of finding our ancestors and taking their names to the temple. He says that through our participation in family history and temple work we not only help redeem the dead but also “lay claim to ‘healing’ blessings promised by prophets and apostles.”

Overcoming Addictions Through Family History and Temple Work

Finding increased joy, healing and protection through family history (Sydney Walker - Church News Reporter)

Give indexing a try! See FamilySearch Project 5 in the Family History Guide, and search “Indexing” for hundreds of other results! See also How Indexing And Family History Has Increased With President Nelson's Invitation, and this Indexing Activity. Read more experiences here.

You can START NOW to find your family and help others discover information about their families that has been hidden away for 72 years! View the 1950 US Census: Opportunity for Church Members and the new FamilySearch Get Involved App to be able to review computer information and check for mistakes "on the go."

Matthew 8; Mark 2–4; Luke 7

Elder Renlund: “Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing”

"Family relationships can be some of the most rewarding yet challenging experiences we encounter. Many of us have faced a fracture of some sort within our families. Such a fracture developed between two heroes of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ in these latter days. Parley and Orson Pratt were brothers, early converts, and ordained Apostles...During the Nauvoo era, their relationship became strained, culminating in a heated, public confrontation in 1846. A deep and prolonged rift developed. Parley initially wrote to Orson to resolve the rift, but Orson did not reply. Parley gave up, feeling that correspondence was over forever, unless initiated by Orson. Several years later, in March 1853, Orson learned about a project to publish a book on the descendants of William Pratt, the brothers' earliest American ancestor. Orson began to weep "like a little child" as he glimpsed this treasure trove of family history. His heart melted, and he determined to repair the breach with his brother.

Orson wrote to Parley, 'Now my dear brother, there are none among all the descendants of our Ancestor, Lieut[enant] William Pratt, who have so deep an interest in searching out his descendants as ourselves.' Orson was one of the first to understand that Latter-day Saints have an obligation to research and compile family histories so that we can perform vicarious ordinances for our ancestors. His letter continued: 'We know that the God of our fathers has had a hand in all this. ... I will beg pardon for having been so backward in writing to you. ... I hope you will forgive me.' Despite their unshakable testimonies, their love for their ancestors was the catalyst to heal a rift, mend a hurt, and seek and extend forgiveness.

"... as we participate in family history and temple work today, we also lay claim to 'healing' blessings promised by prophets and apostles. These blessings are also breathtakingly amazing because of their scope, specificity, and consequence in mortality. This long list includes these blessings:

Increased understanding of the Savior and His atoning sacrifice;
Increased influence of the Holy Ghost7 to feel strength and direction for our own lives;
Increased faith, so that conversion to the Savior becomes deep and abiding;
Increased ability and motivation to learn and repent because of an understanding of who we are, where we come from, and a clearer vision of where we are going;
Increased refining, sanctifying, and moderating influences in our hearts;
Increased joy through an increased ability to feel the love of the Lord;
Increased family blessings, no matter our current, past, or future family situation or how imperfect our family tree may be;
Increased love and appreciation for ancestors and living relatives, so we no longer feel alone;
Increased power to discern that which needs healing and thus, with the Lord's help, serve others;
Increased protection from temptations and the intensifying influence of the adversary; and
Increased assistance to mend troubled, broken, or anxious hearts and make the wounded whole.

If you have prayed for any of these blessings, participate in family history and temple work. As you do so, your prayers will be answered.

When ordinances are performed on behalf of the deceased, God's children on earth are healed. No wonder President Russell M. Nelson, in his first message as President of the Church, declared, 'Your worship in the temple and your service there for your ancestors will bless you with increased personal revelation and peace and will fortify your commitment to stay on the covenant path.’ ” Dale G. Renlund, Family History and Temple Work: Sealing and Healing

Promised Blessings

Copy each of the blessings listed above (from Elder Renlund’s conference talk) on small pieces of paper and put them into a basket (or something similar). In a group or as a family, take turns drawing them out one-by-one and discussing the reasons why each one of you would want that particular blessing in your life. After the discussion activity, ask, "What one thing can we do to have these incredible blessings in our lives and in the lives of those we love?" Refer to Elder Renlund's talk (see above). Determine how you and your family can find more time to do temple and family history work. Keep a record of the miracles that result from your time spent in this sacred work.

Making Family Connections

Perhaps simply making a family history connection with family members will be the beginning to healing troubled relationships. Think of any ways you may have offended another family member and ask for forgiveness. Make a call, write a message online, or write a letter. Share family history stories, artifacts, memories together. Pray as individuals and as a family for help to clear up any misunderstandings. Follow the promptings you receive, and become closer to those you love through the family connections you have. Even children can do this activity. Through the spirit, each time family history is shared between loved ones, relationships can be strengthened.

Matthew 8:23–27; Mark 4:35–41

Jesus Christ has power to bring peace in the midst of life’s storms

From Come, Follow Me:

How does the Savior bring peace to the storms of your life?

Finding the Savior’s Peace in the Temple

“Elder Matthew Cowley, who was a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, once recounted the Saturday afternoon experience of a grandfather as hand in hand he took his small granddaughter on a birthday visit—not to the zoo or to the movies but to the temple grounds. With permission of the groundskeeper, the two walked to the large doors of the temple. He suggested that she place her hand on the sturdy wall and then on the massive door. Tenderly he then said to her, ‘Remember that this day you touched the temple. One day you will go inside.’ His gift to the little one was not candy or ice cream but an experience far more significant and everlasting—an appreciation of the house of the Lord. She had touched the temple, and the temple had touched her.” President Thoma S. Monson, Blessings of the Temple

Visit a temple visitor’s center, or grounds (if you live close enough) to talk about the peace being in the temple can bring, and how doing work there for the dead blesses those on both sides of the veil. Share stories from your family history about the temple and how it has blessed your ancestors and you.

Discover specific temple details in My Ancestors's Temples. You will need to have a free FamilySearch account and four generations entered into the family tree.

Enjoy watching videos or looking at pictures of temples, and talking about ways to increase temple blessing in your lives. You might want to share stories, photos or videos you have of temple marriages in your family.

Learn more about Temple Baptism and Confirmation for the Dead, Temple Endowment, and Temple Sealing (Temple Marriage).

See more activities in Week 5: Weekly Family History Activities 2023.

Ordinances Ready

As individuals and families, find ancestors you can do ordinance work for in the temple. If you haven't used Ordinances Ready yet, you can try this FamilySearch tool that simplifies finding names for the temple, allowing you more time to serve your family and enjoy the blessings of the temple. Read how to verify names and relationships here.